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Commentary of the Gospell
Singing of Mercy
Zechariah’s words are powerful, because they emerge from 9-month long incubation of a God-experience in silence and prayer. There is one thing in common in the songs of Zechariah and Mary: a sense of absolute gratitude to God’s mercy that reigns supreme. “This is the work of the mercy of our God,” Zechariah declares. Such is the conclusion of anyone who has had a God experience. Ascetic Silouan the Athonite, an eastern Orthodox saint, arrived at great humility after long years of spiritual trials, and thereafter he prayed and wept for the whole world as for himself. One of his sayings goes thus: “Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, ‘You are a saint,’ and the other, ‘You won’t be saved.’ Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful.” Soon we will sing, like Zechariah, celebrating this Mercy-Made-Flesh.